May 9, 2026 • 39 mins
A look back at the Guardians series in Kansas City to finish up the road trip. Plus, conversations with sluggers Rhys Hoskins & David Fry. Also, the weekly Farm Report with Director of Player Development Stephen Osterer who fills us in on what's happening in Lake County. That's all on this edition of Guardians Weekly with Jim Rosenhaus on the Cleveland Guardians Radio Network.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhaus along with
you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Good show lined
up for you today is we will hear from Guardians
utility man David Frye and also first baseman Reece Hoskins,
both veteran hitters from the right side who are starting
to heat up at the right time of the year.
(01:12):
We will also check in with Stephen Ostro, the Guardian's
Vice president of player Development, and get an update on
some of the young prospects at Single A Lake County
in our weekly Minor league report. But first I'll look
back at the week in review and for the Guardians,
their series in Kansas City started on a down note
as they dropped two straight to the Royals to begin
(01:34):
that four game set, losing Monday night six to two
and Tuesday five to three. But they recovered nicely to
come home with a winning road trip, and to do
that they needed wins in the final two games, beginning
on Wednesday night, Kansas City got the scoring started in
the third inning with a run coming in on a
sacrifice fly by Salvador Perez, and it could have been
(01:57):
more if not for the defense from catcher Austin Hedges.
Runner goes pinches high boy, you got a late break,
Hedges throw tag got him. That was an awful break
and a one hop throat of the shortstop Arrochio on
Hedges is thrown out his first runner of the year,
Plaine Thomas Dune to end the inning. Won nothing Royals
(02:17):
after three. Then in the fifth, Hedges let off the
inning with a walk. He'd move up to second on
a base hit from P. D. Halpin and then Hedges
shocked everyone in the ballpark as he tried to steal
third base. Now the runners go and the pitch is
taken down load of throw.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
To third, Say at third it's Hedges, Oh, stolen base.
Austin Hedges of third and on the back end P. D.
Alpin moved up as well on the double steel. Hedges
is doing it all this year offensively. Then Chase the
latter's red hot road trip continued with a big basehead.
(02:54):
Here comes the two oz to de laughter with the
infield in and he smacks it, threw the left side
up base it hedges scores racing around third halpin Hey
scores with a head first slide, and just like that,
the Guardians take a two to one lead on the
two run single from the latter on the mound. Joey
(03:17):
Cantillo was solid, working five strong innings before turning it
over to the bullpen, and the first man up was
Matt Festa. The O two breaking ball got them swinging.
What an inning by Matt Festa. Three up, three down,
two to one, Cleveland seventh. Next in the seventh it
was Eric Sabrowski. Here it comes bullseye straight three call
(03:43):
oft and out looking Sabrowski with his thirteenth hold.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Of the season. Then in the eighth, the Guardians tried
to add a little insurance as Jose Ramirez got things
started with a walk added to his league leading stolen
base total in another key spot.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Now the pitch runner go those pitches high throw down
to second is high head first slide in Jose Ramirez,
the league leader, has fourteen steals. He's only been caught
once Cleveland with three steals tonight. That's a big one
because a bas d here gives you a huge insurance run.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Ramirez moved up to third on a fly ball, and
then David Frye got the job done.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Lying is ready. Here it comes, swung on, banged a
third knock down on a backcand by Garcia, picked up
by Wit short stop throws Fry out, scoring is Ramirez
three to one.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Cleveland. Next out of the bullpen in the bottom of
the eighth was Hunter Gaddis.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
The pitch swung on line, the right field coming on,
making the catch David fry That's got to be a
real shot in the arm for a Hunter Gaddis. He
gets out of the eighth when it didn't look good
at the outset, and.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Then Kate Smith was on to try and close it
out in the ninth. Here's the set, here's the one
two pitch check swing did he go? And Cleveland challenges
the call. The game could end on the challenge. The
video board says.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Ball game strike three called heads is right, Moscoso wrong,
and the Guardians have beaten the Royals.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Three to one. So a solid win for the Guardians
Wednesday night and a win on Thursday mint a winning
road trip. And it didn't take long for the offense
to get things going against k C starter Seth Lugo
with Stephen Kuan and Jose Ramirez both with singles to
bring Kyle Manzardo to the plate.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Infield back double play depth the pitch and it swung in,
ripped up the allien right center.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
It'll be a base and it'll go to the wall.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Kwan scores, Ramirez scores man Sarto a stand up two
run double and Cleveland has jumped on Seth Luga ding
number one. Then Daniel Schneeman kept the early rally going
the set the look back. The pitch swung on, banged
up the middle base hit in the right center. Manzarto
(06:11):
will score and back to back first ever lifetime it
hits off logo by Manzardo and now Schneeman three nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
In the third, the Guardians had two men on with
two outs and P. D. Halpin delivered in the clutch.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
The pitch swung on, drilled by the diving win base
it in the left center, helping knocks in Schneeman stopping
at second base's Rochio four nothing Cleveland and another opposite
field to hit the first career RBI for P. D.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Helpin. The Royals got on the board with a run
in the fifth, but the Guardians got that run right
back in the sixth with some heads up base running
from helping.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Now the one to one inside all the way to
the back stop and get off the glove of.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Gens into score is helping. Five to one Cleveland. Another
run for Kansas City in the bottom of the sixth
made it a five to two ball game. But in
the seventh the Guardians really opened things up. A couple
of walks set the table for catcher bone Nailer.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Now the infield drawn in the two ozerd pitch swung on,
hit high, hit deep to right, It's got.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
A chance, gone.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
To the Royals bullpen. A towering three run home run
to right by bone Nailer, and there's the separator. Eight
to two Cleveland on Naylor's second home run of the year,
just his second hit this season with men in scoring position.
(07:50):
How good do you think that felt for bone nailor
so is a big lead for the Guardians, but the
Royals they didn't give in easily. Back to back home
runs from Bobby Witt Junior and Vinnie Pasquentino in the
seventh made it eight to four. Then another run in
the eighth on a sackfly made it an eight to
five game. Then with runners at second and third, once again,
(08:12):
it was the dangerous Vinnie Pasquentino facing Eric Sabrowski. The
pitch swig ans slider wiped out Pasquentino, Cebrowski to the
rescue again, eight to five.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Cleveland ninth next from Kansas City, and in the ninth
Kate Smith tried to nail down another save.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
The pitch swung on hit pretty well, they're right back
toward the track, Martinez makes the catch.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Ballgame.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
Cleveland gets a sweep and they become just the third
team in the American League, joining the Yankees in Tampa,
the only teams above five hundred in the AL. Cleveland
with the win today in Kansas City eight to five.
So the Guardians go four, four and three on the
road trip, and they returned home on Friday night to
(09:03):
take on the Twins in the opening game of a
three game series and a nine game home stand. Parker
Messick was on the mound for Cleveland. He shut down
the Twins in the top half of the first and
then in the bottom of the inning, the Guardians offense
got busy Stephen Kuan led off with a single that
on Hell Martinez was hit by a pitch and that
put two men on for Jose Ramirez. Ramirez switch hitter
(09:27):
right side, and he has been better from the right
side than left side by quite a bit this year.
As he chops one to the first base side of
the mount and it skips on through in the right field,
rounding third and scoring is Kwan on his way to
third as Martinez and Ramirez is a board on a
ball that somehow got through the infield, and manager Derek
(09:49):
Shelton is out of the twins dugout to argue that
there was interference by the base runner and apparently the
play will stand. Kwan will score and the Guardians take
a one nothing lead. Who does Derek Shelton stay in
this game?
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Boy?
Speaker 2 (10:08):
He is red hot. Heading back to the dugout, Rehys
Hoskins drove in Martinez with a sack fly to make
it to nothing, and then with two outs and Ramirez
at first base, Travis Bazana stepped to the plate. Here
comes the one one pitch swung.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
On and he blasted high and deep right centerfield home run. Bizanna.
There it is the first major league home run for
Travis Bizanna.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
And there was no doubt about it. Parker Messick was
terrific again as he kept the Twins off the scoreboard
until the sixth inning. They scored a run on an
RBI base hit by Ryan Jeffers, and it would have
been more if not for the defense of center fielder
p d. Halpim the one one swung on line drive
base at center field. This may score or another. Here
(11:00):
comes Jeffers. The throw by Halpin comes through the tag
by Hedges. Jeffers is how.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Oh what a throw by Pete Halpin and he cuts
down a potential run at home plate.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
In the seventh Minnesota pulled to within one after a
two run home run from their top slugger Byron Buxton.
But in the bottom of the inning the Guardians answered.
Stephen Kwan doubled and with two outs, Jose Ramirez delivered
in the clutch the one two.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Swung online left side hon crew a base h scoring
is Kwan and the Guardians are back on the scoreboard
and they now lead.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
It five to three. Then in the eighth innning, Travis
Bazana reached on a fielder's choice. He stole second and third,
getting into scoring position with Austin Hedges at the plate.
The two to one swung on bounce back to the
Mounta it hits Banda scorts through on the infield one
run is in. Rocchio thought about it but slipped going
(12:02):
around third and scrambles back safely at third. Hedges with
an infield single and the Guardians now leaded six to three.
And in the ninth, the Twins scratched for a run,
but it wouldn't be enough as Kate Smith closed it out.
The one two pinch swag and.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
The best strike three spind gets the job done and
the Guardians win the opener on this three game series.
Final score tonight Cleveland six, Minnesota four. So it's been
a good week for the Guardians as they'll headed the
play on Saturday, two games over the five hundred mark
(12:44):
at twenty one and nineteen, with a game against the
Twins Saturday night at six to ten, and then another
on Sunday afternoon to close out the series. And wont
stay with us when we come back, we'll hear from
Guardian's utility man David Fry.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
That's next time. The Cleveland Clinic Radio.
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Speaker 2 (13:45):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
from Progressive Field and downtown Cleveland. Well, the Guardians. We're
looking forward to some increased production from the right side,
especially against left handed pitching this season, and part of
that was due to the return health full health of
David Frye. With the ability for fry to play a
(14:05):
position as well as DH he has swung the bat
well recently, taking advantage of some more playing time, and
we talked to him during the road trip about how
he's been able to get it going at the plate
despite sporadic playing time early this season.
Speaker 8 (14:20):
Yeah, just working like the first I don't know, first
three years of my career in the big leagues has
kind of been that of you don't really know when
playing time's coming. You just have to stay ready, and
arting coaches have done a really good job of helping
me out staying ready and working on some swing stuff,
and yeah, it's fever good recently.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
You mentioned three years now at this level. Does that
give you if you don't get the hits right away
or the results right away, is a little bit easier
to deal with and know that it's coming.
Speaker 8 (14:47):
Yeah, for sure. Obviously whenever you're new and you want
to do stuff right away, and obviously you kind of
always do, but just kind of learning that joy and
peace aren't going to come through results. You know, it's
just it's processing to work, and especially when the playing
time's not every day, you can't just expect to go
out there and get three hits and it's just going
to come that easy. But just got to keep working
(15:08):
and no results are coming.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Yeah, had your moments a season ago, but I know
it was challenging for you. What have you noticed that's
different at the plate this year is as you get
deeper into it.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
Oh yeah, it's just kind of getting back to having
a good plan and executing that plan. And even early
on when like hits weren't falling, still felt like I
was taking walks and able to find ways on base
to help the guys win. And now that hits are
starting to drop it obviously it looks better, but it's
kind of felt that way all year of like I
feel a little more like myself. And then yeah, just
(15:38):
getting to play defense this year is it kind of
takes your mind off things and you don't think about
every single swing that you had because you can only hit.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
We've seen you a lot in the outfield and the
spring training a lot of catching for you. Is it
just a matter of trying to stay ready at a
bunch of different spots because you never know.
Speaker 8 (15:54):
Yeah, one hundred percent as it is. You, especially when
you're not starting every day, you don't know what position
you're going into that day, and so working with J
ten outfield a bunch, just staying ready out there. That
seems to be where I've gotten a decent amount of starts.
And then every day working with Sandy Antonio and Sane
Sharp catching for whenever like either coming into a game
later getting to start at catcher. So yeah, just a
(16:17):
lot of work and trying to stay ready. You made
some good plays in the outfield. I know that might
be the one that's newest to you defensively. How much
you enjoy it out there and what are some of
the pluses of being out there in the outfield? Yeah,
I enjoy it. It's not like you know, when you're
growing up and it's outfield, you get no action. Like,
there's a lot of stuff that happens out there. It's
fun being out there with Kwan, like we'll talk and
(16:39):
joke around out there. But he's also a huge help
you know of he's obviously got four goal gloves. He
knows what he's doing out there and kind of gives
you more confidence, like when he's telling you something like hey,
he knows what he's talking about and kind of just listen.
He's been a huge help for me out there.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
And let's back up. You mentioned when you're young, nobody
wants to play the outfield because there's no action. When
does that change you think, I would say maybe high
school or college. I mean it starts to be like, oh,
you can't just stick a bad athlete out there, like
you have to be able to catch the ball. And
uh so, yeah, it's a little different.
Speaker 8 (17:11):
Now.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
Hey, team wise, the team that it looks like you
are still trying to find that that real solid group,
but some some positives. What are you seeing positive wise
that says, hey, this team is going to be able
to hang in there and do some damage later.
Speaker 8 (17:24):
Yeah, I think it's been a little bit of everything,
like kind of like always, our pitching is always really
really good, and our young starters have been awesome. Obviously,
Bibby Gavin has been unbelievable, and then Parker's off to
an incredible start and so that that's kind of how
our organization in the last five six years has kind
of got started. And so pitching has been great, and
then some of our young hitters have really like made
(17:46):
some adjustments and like some jumps this year with like
Rokio and Angel have been outstanding. Obviously, we have like
our core group of guys in the middle of the
lineup that are always going to hit and we know that,
but some like young guys are like, yeah, these guys
have kind of figured it out there. It's not like,
oh I hope, I say the big leagues. They know
they're big leaguers and they made some really good adjustments
and they look awesome.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Sorry, David, always good to have you on. Thank you, yeah,
thank you appreciate it. Well, what a difference when David
Fry is swinging the bat well and he has been
of late for this Guardian's offense. Another big right handed
bat is Reecee Hoskins. We'll hear from him when we
return after this time.
Speaker 5 (18:21):
And the Pitts slung on pounded deep lamp.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Down the line.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
This ball is gone.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
What a come back to your hometown, rees Hoskins. A
solo homer down the luck Field line and Cleveland's got
a six to four lead. And what a joyous junt
around the vases for the Sacramento kid.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Breee Hoskins. Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back
with you from downtown Cleveland and Progressive Field. Great toabby
with US sport Baseball Talk on the radio every Saturday.
Breece Hoskins was signed just after spring training began to
give the Guardians a little more power from that right side,
(19:23):
and the Sacramento native was back home last weekend as
the Guardians took on the Athletics in Sacramento, and he
was a big part of a six to four win
in Game one of the series, with a home run
and three runs driven in. We caught up with them
earlier this week and he talked about how special it
was to play once again in his hometown ballpark, this
time for the first time as a major leaguer.
Speaker 8 (19:45):
Yeah, it's up there. It's definitely ranks pretty high. I think,
you know, even just a few years ago, this wasn't
even really ever a thought coming to get to play
a big league game here in Sacramento. I get to
sleep in my own bed and see all my family
during this spring and summer, which is just never happened. So, yeah,
(20:06):
an awesome thing. I said this on Friday too, But
you know, the kid inside of me is just screaming
with excitement and happiness just because I played here a
bunch as a kid and came to games here, and yeah,
just to be able to share that too, with a
lot of people that helped me get here and have
(20:27):
loved and supported me, you know, my whole life. It's
cool just to be able to celebrate something special like
that with them.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
And that first game back Friday night, the roller coaster.
That is a major league game for anybody. And you
had all those emotions but finished great. And when you
were done with the game, and even when good things
were happening for you in the game, what was going
through your mind as you thought about all those things
that you just mentioned.
Speaker 8 (20:51):
Yeah, I don't think too much during the game. You know,
we often get pretty locked in out there and are
focused on trying to win the game. But when you know,
I got I got a chance to sit in my
locker after and just kind of reflect. Yeah, just gratitude
and like you said, kind of a roller coaster of
a game with some failure at the at the start.
But I've learned in this game that kind of it
(21:15):
finds a way to put you in some fun situations
if if you're ready for him, and that's what I
try to do.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
I had a chance to visit with Andy McKay, the
the field coordinator who has a great Sacramento roots and
was learning about the amount of Major League players from
this city, the baseball traditions here growing up, what makes
it a special city, especially from the baseball standpoint.
Speaker 8 (21:35):
Yeah, obviously the weather helps. We can you know, we
can play full year round if that's the route that
you choose. Well, I shouldn't say just baseball full year round,
but we can be outside playing, whether it's sports or
just playing for most of the year. So I think
that has a lot to do with it. But I think,
you know, with rich tradition comes some standard set and
(21:59):
we have a lot of great baseball people that have
come back to the area that are sharing their knowledge
and running camps and getting youth involved. And to me,
that's the only way to push the game for it
and you know, hopefully I'll have a chance later in
my life to continue that. But I was blessed with
some great people growing up to show me the game.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Reese Hoskins joining us, a Sacramento native who had a
really fun weekend in Sacramento, and reach your role on
this team. You're a veteran guy, and I noticed in
Saturday's game Travis Bozana got his first major league hit,
and as you were going out to the field, you
had a chance to chat with him a little bit.
I don't know if you can share what you said,
But why is that important sometimes to be that guiding
(22:41):
course as a veteran player for a young kid going
through something special.
Speaker 8 (22:45):
Yeah, I mean really, I just shared some congratulations and
told him nobody can take that from him, and really
to three thousand more, like let's just let's set the
bar as high as we can. And no, I mean
it's I think sometimes as young players we can get
wrapped up and how fast the game goes and everything
that goes on off the field about you know, being
(23:06):
a big league baseball player, that sometimes we forget to
enjoy the cool moments when when they show up. And
I just wanted to make sure that, you know, we
as his teammates, knew how special that was for him
and just to enjoy it. But also, you know, we
had to get some outs and win the game.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
You've been with some really good teams and you're new
to this team, as are are some other players. Seems
like there's some really good things happening here on the
field and togetherness wise, what are you seeing as we
get deeper into this.
Speaker 8 (23:33):
Yeah, we're I think we're kind of finding our footing,
Like you just kind of talked about some roles the
first month, kind of trying to figure some of that out,
and guys are settling in and guys are learning, and
guys are getting kind of kicked in the butt a
little bit. But one thing that's been really easy for
me is just to fit in with this group as people.
(23:54):
As guys, we really like each other. And I think
that's when the lows can us a little bit, you know,
they can they can go by quicker, and those highs
can can maybe last a little longer when when you
have all all guys pulling for each other. And I
think that just takes some of the pressure off everybody
knowing that, hey, this guy's got my back if there's
(24:15):
some failure comes my way.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
And Sunday, you brought the donuts from a local shop.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
Life.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
That's important, isn't it.
Speaker 8 (24:20):
Of course, you know, we got a feel our guys.
The old baseball saying goes, if you want to hit
a sinker, you got to eat a few sinkers. So yeah,
Marie's donuts I brought. I brought Moonbelly Bakery here on
Saturday and I'm just trying to show some Sacramento loves
to these guys.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
Great stuff. Reez, thanks a lot, Yeah, of course, thanks
go Guards and as rees Hoskins, who, like David Frye,
really seems to be starting to hit his stride at
the plate. Stay with us. We'll talk about some of
the youngsters at Singalay Lake County with our minor league report.
Stephen ostro Or, the vice president of player Development, joins
us next.
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Speaker 2 (25:38):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim rosen House back with
you for our final segment from downtown Cleveland and Progressive
Field not too far outside of town. The Lake County
Captains continue their season the full season high a affiliate
of the Cleveland Guardians. A lot of good young prospects there,
including several high round college draft picks from a year
(26:00):
You're a Go. Stephen Ostro is the vice president of
player development for the Guardians, and he talked about now
the organization and those young players are managing the ups
and downs that come with the first full season minor
league team.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
Yeah, good morning, Rosie.
Speaker 3 (26:17):
We do have an interesting bunch there with a lot
of those college players. And I think when whenever a
player makes a transition to professional baseball, the volume of
the work and the volume of the games is something
that they have to adapt to.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
And I think.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
For the college players it's really no different than high
school player and they're trying to figure.
Speaker 4 (26:39):
Out what does the day look like, what does the
week look like? How do I put two weeks together?
Speaker 3 (26:44):
And all of the things that go into preparing their bodies,
preparing for the game, and how to recover from all
of those things, and it could be a real adjustment
for everyone. So, yes, the college aged players are obviously
older and a little bit more experienced with game. But
when you try to stack together the volume of things
that they have to do on a daily and weekly basis, Uh,
(27:06):
there are a lot of things that they have to
navigate and learn and learn about themselves.
Speaker 4 (27:11):
So that can lead to a ton of inconsistency day
to day.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
And you know, these guys are are no different in.
Speaker 4 (27:17):
Seeing some of that.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
To start the year, Well, let's start with last year's
top round draft pick, Ja slavio Lette, the big center fielder.
And what are you saying from him so far as
he battles through some of those ups and downs of
pro ball.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
Yeah, I mean he's he's an incredibly gifted athlete. Uh,
he's got he's got kind of like the Ferrari body,
the incredible power plus speed, you know, all the tools
to dream of this huge upside and ceiling.
Speaker 4 (27:45):
And he's a confident guy.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
He's really competitive, he wants to be really good, and
like I said, he's one of them who's settling into
what that professional season looks like.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
Those adjustments aren't easy, and I.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
Think for a guy coming from a big program, sometimes
it's a little bit more grind and luxury in the
minor league, So there's that adjustment to it too, but
you know, from a developmental standpoint, yeah, it's just limiting strikeouts,
getting a little bit more consistent contact that is going
to be the big thing for him long term. There's
really no secret around the tools and the upside. And
(28:19):
it also doesn't mean that this is an easy fix
or it's going to be something that's developed quickly. So
it requires time, getting more information, learning about himself, getting
a clearer picture of how we're going to impact change
and tweaking things over time. And you know, it's not
the prototypical just get bigger, stronger pathway for some of
these guys, and jas is one of those included. So
(28:40):
it's a little bit more complex to that. But he's
bought into the work. He recognizes what we're trying to
make progress on. You know, we're already making progress. He's
a phenomenal attitude to the work and showing up and
he's a great teammates.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
So we're excited.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
About Jason Dean Curly, another young man who came from
a major college program with a winning tradition. How is
that translated into what you're seeing from him as he
gets deeper into this season.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Yeah, we talked about Dean in spring training as being
one of those like natural leaders, and we're really seeing
that the start of the year. He's got that high
quality work ethic, great teammate, keeping it light vibe, and
it's been a good month of just figuring out what
professional baseball actually looks like at a small taste last year,
but now is a bit more of a sample size
(29:27):
and figuring out what he needs to do to balance
performing that night, thinking about the long term development as well.
And he's off to a really good start for us.
He's got elite walk rates, he's controlling the strike zone.
Speaker 4 (29:40):
Really well, He's consistently hitting.
Speaker 3 (29:41):
The ball hard, and I think there's a bit of
an approach that he's working on just to be a
bit more aggressive and damage counts, to know himself and
be a little bit more selective. But yeah, I think defensively,
he's been almost exclusively at shortstop. You know, we're really
encouraged by how well he's played and some of the
development developments so far. I think, regardless of where he
(30:04):
is long term, there's a lot of upside that we
see in playing shortstop early and as long as you
can gain some of those qualities over time, and we
think it can translate to different positions.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Down the road.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
We were really excited about his ability to take on
adjustments and seeing some developmental strikes defensively thus far too
so not ruling out anything positionally long term, and got
a guy who's a really well rounded hitter.
Speaker 4 (30:30):
So Dean's been off to a great start. It's really
nice to see that.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
And yet another from a big college program, Nolan Schubart.
It seems like the power potential is in there and
has he been able to unlock some of that yet.
Speaker 3 (30:43):
He has, And this is another big body for that
twenty five draft class that probably has a little bit
more pop potentially than Jase. A similar as type of
profile to him too. Or he's going to take his walks,
he's not going to expand. But when he connects, he
hits the ball really hard and really far, and we've
seen that quite a few times. Are ready to start
(31:04):
the year. We're just working on being a little bit
more consistent with that. And you know, Nolan's a really
intelligent player in person.
Speaker 4 (31:11):
He's a bit more analytical. He's been great to work.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
With and see him dive into some of the resources
and areas and the development.
Speaker 4 (31:18):
He's curious about, you know, what do I need to do?
How do I work on that?
Speaker 3 (31:22):
And he's been a really good partner so far with
the coaches on trying to make some adjustments to his
swing and swing path to maybe get a little bit
more resiliency to how his bat enters the zone and
to make a little bit more consistent contact. So he's
a he's a really good worker. We are seeing some
adjustments so far and some changes, but you know, similar
to Jace, I think that this is not necessarily a
(31:44):
quick fix either. It's it's hard to make swing adjustments
and changes in seasons, especially.
Speaker 4 (31:48):
For first year guys.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
We're again trying to navigate what it looks like in
professional baseball. So Nolan's been a really nice addition offensively
to the group in Lake Camp into our org and defensively.
We've seen some good stuff at first base so far,
but we expect to see him in the outfield soon.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
We haven't talked statistics with these guys so far, but
why not. With Bennett Thompson ops of over eleven hundred
and batting over three hundred, so obviously he's getting some
good results, And what do you like about his game
so far?
Speaker 3 (32:23):
Yeah, Bennett's maybe a little bit less than the radar
in terms of players that we've discussed, but deserves.
Speaker 4 (32:29):
A little spotlight.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
He's a catcher we drafted with maybe expectations of him
being defensive first, and obviously some qualities that we liked
offensively that we thought we could develop, and he came
out last year and exceeded a lot of those expectations. Yeah,
he's come out again in twenty six year point has
been maybe one of the best offensive players in all
of minor league baseball.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
His approaches has really improved from last year. He's making
better swing decisions that he's added two and a half
miles an hour at a batspeed.
Speaker 3 (32:57):
He's walking I think at somewhere around the thirty five
percent rate, which is ridiculous. He's not striking out very much.
He's hitting the ball with authority. I think the last
time we looked, he was leading all of minor league
baseball and on base percentage. I don't know if anyone
is expecting this to stay forever. I think that's an
unfair thing to ask of anyone, But there are a
(33:19):
lot of underlying things that we were really excited about.
Offensively and yeah, defensively is his primary emphasis has been
and will continue to be developing is throwing. You know,
we saw improvements last year. It still needs to grow,
but he's a tremendous worker. He's a catcher at heart
in terms of his mentality and approach to his workday
and how he works with the pitching staff, the coaching staff,
(33:40):
and how he prepares and he exhibits a lot of
the attitude and behaviors that we love to see in
developing catchers. So a name to keep an eye on
moving forward. And you know, BT has been has been
really good this year, and quite frankly, it was pretty
good last year too.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Vice President of player Development Stephen Oster is joining us
and we're taking Lake County and the captains have some arms.
They're sprinkled throughout the system and some good ones down
at single A Lake County. Let's start with Franklin Gomez here.
He is five starts in, he's allowed two earned runs
the whole season, and there's got to be a lot
of excitement. The strikeout walk numbers look pretty good too.
Speaker 3 (34:18):
Yeah, we got Franklin as part of a trade with
the Mets in the offseason, and we were really excited
about him when we got him, and I think more
excited now than when we got him too, so left
handed pitcher, he's young. He spent most of the year
last year in low Ay, and we thought we got
a guy that had really advanced arsenal approach for a
(34:40):
twenty year old. And I think in getting to know
the person and watching him work and for a more
we are even more excited and more confident. And in
both of those things, he's really thoughtful. I mean, he's
got these preparation habits and routines that are years beyond
his age. And he understands himself really really well, like
(35:04):
he knows his strengths, his weaknesses, his goals as a
high level level as we probably have you know in
the A ball level, if not even higher in the system,
and he has performed exceptionally well to start the year.
He deploys five pitches really well as a game plan
for that is slider his game to uh, you know,
(35:25):
a few more inches of cut than it has last year,
so it's a lot of to generate a little bit
more with He's cut down his walks significantly. I think
he's been more consistent with his delivery, which has helped
with that. And you know, to your point, he's really
dominating a level through the month of April, and there's
just so much to be excited about the long term
development him too. You know, we think the velocity will
(35:46):
continue to trend up over time. We think there's some
levers to pull too, and the quality of his arsenal
and how he deploys them, and he's got the worst
work ethic and mentality to capitalize on that. So we
got a really good r you know, as part of
a number of good arms in this in this Lake
County roster.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
And one last pitcher before we let you go, Jackson Humphreys.
The one number that jumps out. He's hard to hit,
he's not allowing many base hits and what are you
seeing there from him?
Speaker 3 (36:15):
Yeah, another left to you that we talked about last
year this summer repeating Lake County and Jackson.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
He had a tougher year last year.
Speaker 3 (36:23):
You know, he's battling a number of things short at
the year and never really got a chance to stabilize himself.
Speaker 4 (36:28):
And he just had this really productive offseason.
Speaker 3 (36:32):
We saw velocity come back to I think where we
were hoping it would be and what we saw maybe
a couple of years ago. He's twenty one years old,
you can sit around ninety three. He's got a really
good change up and slider.
Speaker 4 (36:44):
That both have like some bat missing potential.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
The major leagues, and that's just a really nice profile
to build on long term.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
And he's a tremendous worker, he's a great teammate.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
He's been dealing with the flu as some of these
guys have been the last couple of weeks that otherwise
take a really nice step forward to start the year,
and he's back up to touching ninety six, close to
ninety seven.
Speaker 4 (37:06):
He's striking out thirty six percent of the guys.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
He's facing, and he's put up a couple of really
dominant starts, and you know, the jackson that we think
he's going to turn into long term is starting to
peek through a little bit here to start the year. So, yeah,
just another one of these guys at this level that
there's inconsistency, and that should be expected when you've got
really young players at levels that are pushing them and
(37:30):
are challenging, And yeah, I think We're going.
Speaker 4 (37:33):
To look up in a couple of years and have another.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
One of these guys that is dominant and there's a
left handed arm that has staying power to be a
starting pitcher for us in the big leagues.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
Exciting stuff is always at Lake County, Austy. Thanks for
coming by, appreciate.
Speaker 4 (37:48):
It, Yeah, of course, thanks Rosie.
Speaker 2 (37:50):
That is Steven Oster, the vice president of player development
for the Guardians, and that's going to do it for
our show this week. Thanks as always to Brian Matsee
for all of his help putting together our shows each
and every week until next week when we join you
right back here at Progressive Field as the homestand continues
against the Cincinnati Reds next weekend. This is Jim Rosenhause
(38:11):
reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians Weekly on
the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
Guardians fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Welcome to Guardians Weekly on the Cleveland Guardians Radio network.
Guardians Weekly is brought to you by Progressive helping Guardians
fans save hundreds on car insurance.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Hi, everyone, welcome to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhaus along with
you from Progressive Field in downtown Cleveland. Good show lined
up for you today is we will hear from Guardians
utility man David Frye and also first baseman Reece Hoskins,
both veteran hitters from the right side who are starting
to heat up at the right time of the year.
(01:12):
We will also check in with Stephen Ostro, the Guardian's
Vice president of player Development, and get an update on
some of the young prospects at Single A Lake County
in our weekly Minor league report. But first I'll look
back at the week in review and for the Guardians,
their series in Kansas City started on a down note
as they dropped two straight to the Royals to begin
(01:34):
that four game set, losing Monday night six to two
and Tuesday five to three. But they recovered nicely to
come home with a winning road trip, and to do
that they needed wins in the final two games, beginning
on Wednesday night, Kansas City got the scoring started in
the third inning with a run coming in on a
sacrifice fly by Salvador Perez, and it could have been
(01:57):
more if not for the defense from catcher Austin Hedges.
Runner goes pinches high boy, you got a late break,
Hedges throw tag got him. That was an awful break
and a one hop throat of the shortstop Arrochio on
Hedges is thrown out his first runner of the year,
Plaine Thomas Dune to end the inning. Won nothing Royals
(02:17):
after three. Then in the fifth, Hedges let off the
inning with a walk. He'd move up to second on
a base hit from P. D. Halpin and then Hedges
shocked everyone in the ballpark as he tried to steal
third base. Now the runners go and the pitch is
taken down load of throw.
Speaker 1 (02:33):
To third, Say at third it's Hedges, Oh, stolen base.
Austin Hedges of third and on the back end P. D.
Alpin moved up as well on the double steel. Hedges
is doing it all this year offensively. Then Chase the
latter's red hot road trip continued with a big basehead.
(02:54):
Here comes the two oz to de laughter with the
infield in and he smacks it, threw the left side
up base it hedges scores racing around third halpin Hey
scores with a head first slide, and just like that,
the Guardians take a two to one lead on the
two run single from the latter on the mound. Joey
(03:17):
Cantillo was solid, working five strong innings before turning it
over to the bullpen, and the first man up was
Matt Festa. The O two breaking ball got them swinging.
What an inning by Matt Festa. Three up, three down,
two to one, Cleveland seventh. Next in the seventh it
was Eric Sabrowski. Here it comes bullseye straight three call
(03:43):
oft and out looking Sabrowski with his thirteenth hold.
Speaker 2 (03:47):
Of the season. Then in the eighth, the Guardians tried
to add a little insurance as Jose Ramirez got things
started with a walk added to his league leading stolen
base total in another key spot.
Speaker 1 (03:58):
Now the pitch runner go those pitches high throw down
to second is high head first slide in Jose Ramirez,
the league leader, has fourteen steals. He's only been caught
once Cleveland with three steals tonight. That's a big one
because a bas d here gives you a huge insurance run.
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Ramirez moved up to third on a fly ball, and
then David Frye got the job done.
Speaker 1 (04:23):
Lying is ready. Here it comes, swung on, banged a
third knock down on a backcand by Garcia, picked up
by Wit short stop throws Fry out, scoring is Ramirez
three to one.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
Cleveland. Next out of the bullpen in the bottom of
the eighth was Hunter Gaddis.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
The pitch swung on line, the right field coming on,
making the catch David fry That's got to be a
real shot in the arm for a Hunter Gaddis. He
gets out of the eighth when it didn't look good
at the outset, and.
Speaker 2 (04:55):
Then Kate Smith was on to try and close it
out in the ninth. Here's the set, here's the one
two pitch check swing did he go? And Cleveland challenges
the call. The game could end on the challenge. The
video board says.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
Ball game strike three called heads is right, Moscoso wrong,
and the Guardians have beaten the Royals.
Speaker 2 (05:23):
Three to one. So a solid win for the Guardians
Wednesday night and a win on Thursday mint a winning
road trip. And it didn't take long for the offense
to get things going against k C starter Seth Lugo
with Stephen Kuan and Jose Ramirez both with singles to
bring Kyle Manzardo to the plate.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Infield back double play depth the pitch and it swung in,
ripped up the allien right center.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
It'll be a base and it'll go to the wall.
Speaker 1 (05:50):
Kwan scores, Ramirez scores man Sarto a stand up two
run double and Cleveland has jumped on Seth Luga ding
number one. Then Daniel Schneeman kept the early rally going
the set the look back. The pitch swung on, banged
up the middle base hit in the right center. Manzarto
(06:11):
will score and back to back first ever lifetime it
hits off logo by Manzardo and now Schneeman three nothing Cleveland.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
In the third, the Guardians had two men on with
two outs and P. D. Halpin delivered in the clutch.
Speaker 1 (06:27):
The pitch swung on, drilled by the diving win base
it in the left center, helping knocks in Schneeman stopping
at second base's Rochio four nothing Cleveland and another opposite
field to hit the first career RBI for P. D.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
Helpin. The Royals got on the board with a run
in the fifth, but the Guardians got that run right
back in the sixth with some heads up base running
from helping.
Speaker 1 (06:54):
Now the one to one inside all the way to
the back stop and get off the glove of.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
Gens into score is helping. Five to one Cleveland. Another
run for Kansas City in the bottom of the sixth
made it a five to two ball game. But in
the seventh the Guardians really opened things up. A couple
of walks set the table for catcher bone Nailer.
Speaker 1 (07:17):
Now the infield drawn in the two ozerd pitch swung on,
hit high, hit deep to right, It's got.
Speaker 3 (07:25):
A chance, gone.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
To the Royals bullpen. A towering three run home run
to right by bone Nailer, and there's the separator. Eight
to two Cleveland on Naylor's second home run of the year,
just his second hit this season with men in scoring position.
(07:50):
How good do you think that felt for bone nailor
so is a big lead for the Guardians, but the
Royals they didn't give in easily. Back to back home
runs from Bobby Witt Junior and Vinnie Pasquentino in the
seventh made it eight to four. Then another run in
the eighth on a sackfly made it an eight to
five game. Then with runners at second and third, once again,
(08:12):
it was the dangerous Vinnie Pasquentino facing Eric Sabrowski. The
pitch swig ans slider wiped out Pasquentino, Cebrowski to the
rescue again, eight to five.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Cleveland ninth next from Kansas City, and in the ninth
Kate Smith tried to nail down another save.
Speaker 1 (08:34):
The pitch swung on hit pretty well, they're right back
toward the track, Martinez makes the catch.
Speaker 4 (08:40):
Ballgame.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
Cleveland gets a sweep and they become just the third
team in the American League, joining the Yankees in Tampa,
the only teams above five hundred in the AL. Cleveland
with the win today in Kansas City eight to five.
So the Guardians go four, four and three on the
road trip, and they returned home on Friday night to
(09:03):
take on the Twins in the opening game of a
three game series and a nine game home stand. Parker
Messick was on the mound for Cleveland. He shut down
the Twins in the top half of the first and
then in the bottom of the inning, the Guardians offense
got busy Stephen Kuan led off with a single that
on Hell Martinez was hit by a pitch and that
put two men on for Jose Ramirez. Ramirez switch hitter
(09:27):
right side, and he has been better from the right
side than left side by quite a bit this year.
As he chops one to the first base side of
the mount and it skips on through in the right field,
rounding third and scoring is Kwan on his way to
third as Martinez and Ramirez is a board on a
ball that somehow got through the infield, and manager Derek
(09:49):
Shelton is out of the twins dugout to argue that
there was interference by the base runner and apparently the
play will stand. Kwan will score and the Guardians take
a one nothing lead. Who does Derek Shelton stay in
this game?
Speaker 5 (10:07):
Boy?
Speaker 2 (10:08):
He is red hot. Heading back to the dugout, Rehys
Hoskins drove in Martinez with a sack fly to make
it to nothing, and then with two outs and Ramirez
at first base, Travis Bazana stepped to the plate. Here
comes the one one pitch swung.
Speaker 1 (10:23):
On and he blasted high and deep right centerfield home run. Bizanna.
There it is the first major league home run for
Travis Bizanna.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
And there was no doubt about it. Parker Messick was
terrific again as he kept the Twins off the scoreboard
until the sixth inning. They scored a run on an
RBI base hit by Ryan Jeffers, and it would have
been more if not for the defense of center fielder
p d. Halpim the one one swung on line drive
base at center field. This may score or another. Here
(11:00):
comes Jeffers. The throw by Halpin comes through the tag
by Hedges. Jeffers is how.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Oh what a throw by Pete Halpin and he cuts
down a potential run at home plate.
Speaker 2 (11:14):
In the seventh Minnesota pulled to within one after a
two run home run from their top slugger Byron Buxton.
But in the bottom of the inning the Guardians answered.
Stephen Kwan doubled and with two outs, Jose Ramirez delivered
in the clutch the one two.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
Swung online left side hon crew a base h scoring
is Kwan and the Guardians are back on the scoreboard
and they now lead.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
It five to three. Then in the eighth innning, Travis
Bazana reached on a fielder's choice. He stole second and third,
getting into scoring position with Austin Hedges at the plate.
The two to one swung on bounce back to the
Mounta it hits Banda scorts through on the infield one
run is in. Rocchio thought about it but slipped going
(12:02):
around third and scrambles back safely at third. Hedges with
an infield single and the Guardians now leaded six to three.
And in the ninth, the Twins scratched for a run,
but it wouldn't be enough as Kate Smith closed it out.
The one two pinch swag and.
Speaker 1 (12:23):
The best strike three spind gets the job done and
the Guardians win the opener on this three game series.
Final score tonight Cleveland six, Minnesota four. So it's been
a good week for the Guardians as they'll headed the
play on Saturday, two games over the five hundred mark
(12:44):
at twenty one and nineteen, with a game against the
Twins Saturday night at six to ten, and then another
on Sunday afternoon to close out the series. And wont
stay with us when we come back, we'll hear from
Guardian's utility man David Fry.
Speaker 2 (12:58):
That's next time. The Cleveland Clinic Radio.
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Speaker 2 (13:45):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back with you
from Progressive Field and downtown Cleveland. Well, the Guardians. We're
looking forward to some increased production from the right side,
especially against left handed pitching this season, and part of
that was due to the return health full health of
David Frye. With the ability for fry to play a
(14:05):
position as well as DH he has swung the bat
well recently, taking advantage of some more playing time, and
we talked to him during the road trip about how
he's been able to get it going at the plate
despite sporadic playing time early this season.
Speaker 8 (14:20):
Yeah, just working like the first I don't know, first
three years of my career in the big leagues has
kind of been that of you don't really know when
playing time's coming. You just have to stay ready, and
arting coaches have done a really good job of helping
me out staying ready and working on some swing stuff,
and yeah, it's fever good recently.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
You mentioned three years now at this level. Does that
give you if you don't get the hits right away
or the results right away, is a little bit easier
to deal with and know that it's coming.
Speaker 8 (14:47):
Yeah, for sure. Obviously whenever you're new and you want
to do stuff right away, and obviously you kind of
always do, but just kind of learning that joy and
peace aren't going to come through results. You know, it's
just it's processing to work, and especially when the playing
time's not every day, you can't just expect to go
out there and get three hits and it's just going
to come that easy. But just got to keep working
(15:08):
and no results are coming.
Speaker 2 (15:10):
Yeah, had your moments a season ago, but I know
it was challenging for you. What have you noticed that's
different at the plate this year is as you get
deeper into it.
Speaker 8 (15:17):
Oh yeah, it's just kind of getting back to having
a good plan and executing that plan. And even early
on when like hits weren't falling, still felt like I
was taking walks and able to find ways on base
to help the guys win. And now that hits are
starting to drop it obviously it looks better, but it's
kind of felt that way all year of like I
feel a little more like myself. And then yeah, just
(15:38):
getting to play defense this year is it kind of
takes your mind off things and you don't think about
every single swing that you had because you can only hit.
Speaker 2 (15:45):
We've seen you a lot in the outfield and the
spring training a lot of catching for you. Is it
just a matter of trying to stay ready at a
bunch of different spots because you never know.
Speaker 8 (15:54):
Yeah, one hundred percent as it is. You, especially when
you're not starting every day, you don't know what position
you're going into that day, and so working with J
ten outfield a bunch, just staying ready out there. That
seems to be where I've gotten a decent amount of starts.
And then every day working with Sandy Antonio and Sane
Sharp catching for whenever like either coming into a game
later getting to start at catcher. So yeah, just a
(16:17):
lot of work and trying to stay ready. You made
some good plays in the outfield. I know that might
be the one that's newest to you defensively. How much
you enjoy it out there and what are some of
the pluses of being out there in the outfield? Yeah,
I enjoy it. It's not like you know, when you're
growing up and it's outfield, you get no action. Like,
there's a lot of stuff that happens out there. It's
fun being out there with Kwan, like we'll talk and
(16:39):
joke around out there. But he's also a huge help
you know of he's obviously got four goal gloves. He
knows what he's doing out there and kind of gives
you more confidence, like when he's telling you something like hey,
he knows what he's talking about and kind of just listen.
He's been a huge help for me out there.
Speaker 2 (16:52):
And let's back up. You mentioned when you're young, nobody
wants to play the outfield because there's no action. When
does that change you think, I would say maybe high
school or college. I mean it starts to be like, oh,
you can't just stick a bad athlete out there, like
you have to be able to catch the ball. And
uh so, yeah, it's a little different.
Speaker 8 (17:11):
Now.
Speaker 2 (17:12):
Hey, team wise, the team that it looks like you
are still trying to find that that real solid group,
but some some positives. What are you seeing positive wise
that says, hey, this team is going to be able
to hang in there and do some damage later.
Speaker 8 (17:24):
Yeah, I think it's been a little bit of everything,
like kind of like always, our pitching is always really
really good, and our young starters have been awesome. Obviously,
Bibby Gavin has been unbelievable, and then Parker's off to
an incredible start and so that that's kind of how
our organization in the last five six years has kind
of got started. And so pitching has been great, and
then some of our young hitters have really like made
(17:46):
some adjustments and like some jumps this year with like
Rokio and Angel have been outstanding. Obviously, we have like
our core group of guys in the middle of the
lineup that are always going to hit and we know that,
but some like young guys are like, yeah, these guys
have kind of figured it out there. It's not like,
oh I hope, I say the big leagues. They know
they're big leaguers and they made some really good adjustments
and they look awesome.
Speaker 2 (18:06):
Sorry, David, always good to have you on. Thank you, yeah,
thank you appreciate it. Well, what a difference when David
Fry is swinging the bat well and he has been
of late for this Guardian's offense. Another big right handed
bat is Reecee Hoskins. We'll hear from him when we
return after this time.
Speaker 5 (18:21):
And the Pitts slung on pounded deep lamp.
Speaker 1 (18:39):
Down the line.
Speaker 2 (18:40):
This ball is gone.
Speaker 1 (18:43):
What a come back to your hometown, rees Hoskins. A
solo homer down the luck Field line and Cleveland's got
a six to four lead. And what a joyous junt
around the vases for the Sacramento kid.
Speaker 2 (19:02):
Breee Hoskins. Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim Rosenhouse back
with you from downtown Cleveland and Progressive Field. Great toabby
with US sport Baseball Talk on the radio every Saturday.
Breece Hoskins was signed just after spring training began to
give the Guardians a little more power from that right side,
(19:23):
and the Sacramento native was back home last weekend as
the Guardians took on the Athletics in Sacramento, and he
was a big part of a six to four win
in Game one of the series, with a home run
and three runs driven in. We caught up with them
earlier this week and he talked about how special it
was to play once again in his hometown ballpark, this
time for the first time as a major leaguer.
Speaker 8 (19:45):
Yeah, it's up there. It's definitely ranks pretty high. I think,
you know, even just a few years ago, this wasn't
even really ever a thought coming to get to play
a big league game here in Sacramento. I get to
sleep in my own bed and see all my family
during this spring and summer, which is just never happened. So, yeah,
(20:06):
an awesome thing. I said this on Friday too, But
you know, the kid inside of me is just screaming
with excitement and happiness just because I played here a
bunch as a kid and came to games here, and yeah,
just to be able to share that too, with a
lot of people that helped me get here and have
(20:27):
loved and supported me, you know, my whole life. It's
cool just to be able to celebrate something special like
that with them.
Speaker 2 (20:34):
And that first game back Friday night, the roller coaster.
That is a major league game for anybody. And you
had all those emotions but finished great. And when you
were done with the game, and even when good things
were happening for you in the game, what was going
through your mind as you thought about all those things
that you just mentioned.
Speaker 8 (20:51):
Yeah, I don't think too much during the game. You know,
we often get pretty locked in out there and are
focused on trying to win the game. But when you know,
I got I got a chance to sit in my
locker after and just kind of reflect. Yeah, just gratitude
and like you said, kind of a roller coaster of
a game with some failure at the at the start.
But I've learned in this game that kind of it
(21:15):
finds a way to put you in some fun situations
if if you're ready for him, and that's what I
try to do.
Speaker 2 (21:20):
I had a chance to visit with Andy McKay, the
the field coordinator who has a great Sacramento roots and
was learning about the amount of Major League players from
this city, the baseball traditions here growing up, what makes
it a special city, especially from the baseball standpoint.
Speaker 8 (21:35):
Yeah, obviously the weather helps. We can you know, we
can play full year round if that's the route that
you choose. Well, I shouldn't say just baseball full year round,
but we can be outside playing, whether it's sports or
just playing for most of the year. So I think
that has a lot to do with it. But I think,
you know, with rich tradition comes some standard set and
(21:59):
we have a lot of great baseball people that have
come back to the area that are sharing their knowledge
and running camps and getting youth involved. And to me,
that's the only way to push the game for it
and you know, hopefully I'll have a chance later in
my life to continue that. But I was blessed with
some great people growing up to show me the game.
Speaker 2 (22:19):
Reese Hoskins joining us, a Sacramento native who had a
really fun weekend in Sacramento, and reach your role on
this team. You're a veteran guy, and I noticed in
Saturday's game Travis Bozana got his first major league hit,
and as you were going out to the field, you
had a chance to chat with him a little bit.
I don't know if you can share what you said,
But why is that important sometimes to be that guiding
(22:41):
course as a veteran player for a young kid going
through something special.
Speaker 8 (22:45):
Yeah, I mean really, I just shared some congratulations and
told him nobody can take that from him, and really
to three thousand more, like let's just let's set the
bar as high as we can. And no, I mean
it's I think sometimes as young players we can get
wrapped up and how fast the game goes and everything
that goes on off the field about you know, being
(23:06):
a big league baseball player, that sometimes we forget to
enjoy the cool moments when when they show up. And
I just wanted to make sure that, you know, we
as his teammates, knew how special that was for him
and just to enjoy it. But also, you know, we
had to get some outs and win the game.
Speaker 2 (23:22):
You've been with some really good teams and you're new
to this team, as are are some other players. Seems
like there's some really good things happening here on the
field and togetherness wise, what are you seeing as we
get deeper into this.
Speaker 8 (23:33):
Yeah, we're I think we're kind of finding our footing,
Like you just kind of talked about some roles the
first month, kind of trying to figure some of that out,
and guys are settling in and guys are learning, and
guys are getting kind of kicked in the butt a
little bit. But one thing that's been really easy for
me is just to fit in with this group as people.
(23:54):
As guys, we really like each other. And I think
that's when the lows can us a little bit, you know,
they can they can go by quicker, and those highs
can can maybe last a little longer when when you
have all all guys pulling for each other. And I
think that just takes some of the pressure off everybody
knowing that, hey, this guy's got my back if there's
(24:15):
some failure comes my way.
Speaker 2 (24:17):
And Sunday, you brought the donuts from a local shop.
Speaker 4 (24:19):
Life.
Speaker 2 (24:19):
That's important, isn't it.
Speaker 8 (24:20):
Of course, you know, we got a feel our guys.
The old baseball saying goes, if you want to hit
a sinker, you got to eat a few sinkers. So yeah,
Marie's donuts I brought. I brought Moonbelly Bakery here on
Saturday and I'm just trying to show some Sacramento loves
to these guys.
Speaker 2 (24:37):
Great stuff. Reez, thanks a lot, Yeah, of course, thanks
go Guards and as rees Hoskins, who, like David Frye,
really seems to be starting to hit his stride at
the plate. Stay with us. We'll talk about some of
the youngsters at Singalay Lake County with our minor league report.
Stephen ostro Or, the vice president of player Development, joins
us next.
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Speaker 2 (25:38):
Welcome back to Guardians Weekly. Jim rosen House back with
you for our final segment from downtown Cleveland and Progressive
Field not too far outside of town. The Lake County
Captains continue their season the full season high a affiliate
of the Cleveland Guardians. A lot of good young prospects there,
including several high round college draft picks from a year
(26:00):
You're a Go. Stephen Ostro is the vice president of
player development for the Guardians, and he talked about now
the organization and those young players are managing the ups
and downs that come with the first full season minor
league team.
Speaker 4 (26:15):
Yeah, good morning, Rosie.
Speaker 3 (26:17):
We do have an interesting bunch there with a lot
of those college players. And I think when whenever a
player makes a transition to professional baseball, the volume of
the work and the volume of the games is something
that they have to adapt to.
Speaker 4 (26:33):
And I think.
Speaker 3 (26:34):
For the college players it's really no different than high
school player and they're trying to figure.
Speaker 4 (26:39):
Out what does the day look like, what does the
week look like? How do I put two weeks together?
Speaker 3 (26:44):
And all of the things that go into preparing their bodies,
preparing for the game, and how to recover from all
of those things, and it could be a real adjustment
for everyone. So, yes, the college aged players are obviously
older and a little bit more experienced with game. But
when you try to stack together the volume of things
that they have to do on a daily and weekly basis, Uh,
(27:06):
there are a lot of things that they have to
navigate and learn and learn about themselves.
Speaker 4 (27:11):
So that can lead to a ton of inconsistency day
to day.
Speaker 3 (27:14):
And you know, these guys are are no different in.
Speaker 4 (27:17):
Seeing some of that.
Speaker 2 (27:18):
To start the year, Well, let's start with last year's
top round draft pick, Ja slavio Lette, the big center fielder.
And what are you saying from him so far as
he battles through some of those ups and downs of
pro ball.
Speaker 3 (27:31):
Yeah, I mean he's he's an incredibly gifted athlete. Uh,
he's got he's got kind of like the Ferrari body,
the incredible power plus speed, you know, all the tools
to dream of this huge upside and ceiling.
Speaker 4 (27:45):
And he's a confident guy.
Speaker 3 (27:48):
He's really competitive, he wants to be really good, and
like I said, he's one of them who's settling into
what that professional season looks like.
Speaker 4 (27:57):
Those adjustments aren't easy, and I.
Speaker 3 (27:58):
Think for a guy coming from a big program, sometimes
it's a little bit more grind and luxury in the
minor league, So there's that adjustment to it too, but
you know, from a developmental standpoint, yeah, it's just limiting strikeouts,
getting a little bit more consistent contact that is going
to be the big thing for him long term. There's
really no secret around the tools and the upside. And
(28:19):
it also doesn't mean that this is an easy fix
or it's going to be something that's developed quickly. So
it requires time, getting more information, learning about himself, getting
a clearer picture of how we're going to impact change
and tweaking things over time. And you know, it's not
the prototypical just get bigger, stronger pathway for some of
these guys, and jas is one of those included. So
(28:40):
it's a little bit more complex to that. But he's
bought into the work. He recognizes what we're trying to
make progress on. You know, we're already making progress. He's
a phenomenal attitude to the work and showing up and
he's a great teammates.
Speaker 4 (28:52):
So we're excited.
Speaker 2 (28:53):
About Jason Dean Curly, another young man who came from
a major college program with a winning tradition. How is
that translated into what you're seeing from him as he
gets deeper into this season.
Speaker 3 (29:05):
Yeah, we talked about Dean in spring training as being
one of those like natural leaders, and we're really seeing
that the start of the year. He's got that high
quality work ethic, great teammate, keeping it light vibe, and
it's been a good month of just figuring out what
professional baseball actually looks like at a small taste last year,
but now is a bit more of a sample size
(29:27):
and figuring out what he needs to do to balance
performing that night, thinking about the long term development as well.
And he's off to a really good start for us.
He's got elite walk rates, he's controlling the strike zone.
Speaker 4 (29:40):
Really well, He's consistently hitting.
Speaker 3 (29:41):
The ball hard, and I think there's a bit of
an approach that he's working on just to be a
bit more aggressive and damage counts, to know himself and
be a little bit more selective. But yeah, I think defensively,
he's been almost exclusively at shortstop. You know, we're really
encouraged by how well he's played and some of the
development developments so far. I think, regardless of where he
(30:04):
is long term, there's a lot of upside that we
see in playing shortstop early and as long as you
can gain some of those qualities over time, and we
think it can translate to different positions.
Speaker 4 (30:15):
Down the road.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
We were really excited about his ability to take on
adjustments and seeing some developmental strikes defensively thus far too
so not ruling out anything positionally long term, and got
a guy who's a really well rounded hitter.
Speaker 4 (30:30):
So Dean's been off to a great start. It's really
nice to see that.
Speaker 2 (30:33):
And yet another from a big college program, Nolan Schubart.
It seems like the power potential is in there and
has he been able to unlock some of that yet.
Speaker 3 (30:43):
He has, And this is another big body for that
twenty five draft class that probably has a little bit
more pop potentially than Jase. A similar as type of
profile to him too. Or he's going to take his walks,
he's not going to expand. But when he connects, he
hits the ball really hard and really far, and we've
seen that quite a few times. Are ready to start
(31:04):
the year. We're just working on being a little bit
more consistent with that. And you know, Nolan's a really
intelligent player in person.
Speaker 4 (31:11):
He's a bit more analytical. He's been great to work.
Speaker 3 (31:14):
With and see him dive into some of the resources
and areas and the development.
Speaker 4 (31:18):
He's curious about, you know, what do I need to do?
How do I work on that?
Speaker 3 (31:22):
And he's been a really good partner so far with
the coaches on trying to make some adjustments to his
swing and swing path to maybe get a little bit
more resiliency to how his bat enters the zone and
to make a little bit more consistent contact. So he's
a he's a really good worker. We are seeing some
adjustments so far and some changes, but you know, similar
to Jace, I think that this is not necessarily a
(31:44):
quick fix either. It's it's hard to make swing adjustments
and changes in seasons, especially.
Speaker 4 (31:48):
For first year guys.
Speaker 3 (31:50):
We're again trying to navigate what it looks like in
professional baseball. So Nolan's been a really nice addition offensively
to the group in Lake Camp into our org and defensively.
We've seen some good stuff at first base so far,
but we expect to see him in the outfield soon.
Speaker 2 (32:07):
We haven't talked statistics with these guys so far, but
why not. With Bennett Thompson ops of over eleven hundred
and batting over three hundred, so obviously he's getting some
good results, And what do you like about his game
so far?
Speaker 3 (32:23):
Yeah, Bennett's maybe a little bit less than the radar
in terms of players that we've discussed, but deserves.
Speaker 4 (32:29):
A little spotlight.
Speaker 3 (32:30):
He's a catcher we drafted with maybe expectations of him
being defensive first, and obviously some qualities that we liked
offensively that we thought we could develop, and he came
out last year and exceeded a lot of those expectations. Yeah,
he's come out again in twenty six year point has
been maybe one of the best offensive players in all
of minor league baseball.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
His approaches has really improved from last year. He's making
better swing decisions that he's added two and a half
miles an hour at a batspeed.
Speaker 3 (32:57):
He's walking I think at somewhere around the thirty five
percent rate, which is ridiculous. He's not striking out very much.
He's hitting the ball with authority. I think the last
time we looked, he was leading all of minor league
baseball and on base percentage. I don't know if anyone
is expecting this to stay forever. I think that's an
unfair thing to ask of anyone, But there are a
(33:19):
lot of underlying things that we were really excited about.
Offensively and yeah, defensively is his primary emphasis has been
and will continue to be developing is throwing. You know,
we saw improvements last year. It still needs to grow,
but he's a tremendous worker. He's a catcher at heart
in terms of his mentality and approach to his workday
and how he works with the pitching staff, the coaching staff,
(33:40):
and how he prepares and he exhibits a lot of
the attitude and behaviors that we love to see in
developing catchers. So a name to keep an eye on
moving forward. And you know, BT has been has been
really good this year, and quite frankly, it was pretty
good last year too.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
Vice President of player Development Stephen Oster is joining us
and we're taking Lake County and the captains have some arms.
They're sprinkled throughout the system and some good ones down
at single A Lake County. Let's start with Franklin Gomez here.
He is five starts in, he's allowed two earned runs
the whole season, and there's got to be a lot
of excitement. The strikeout walk numbers look pretty good too.
Speaker 3 (34:18):
Yeah, we got Franklin as part of a trade with
the Mets in the offseason, and we were really excited
about him when we got him, and I think more
excited now than when we got him too, so left
handed pitcher, he's young. He spent most of the year
last year in low Ay, and we thought we got
a guy that had really advanced arsenal approach for a
(34:40):
twenty year old. And I think in getting to know
the person and watching him work and for a more
we are even more excited and more confident. And in
both of those things, he's really thoughtful. I mean, he's
got these preparation habits and routines that are years beyond
his age. And he understands himself really really well, like
(35:04):
he knows his strengths, his weaknesses, his goals as a
high level level as we probably have you know in
the A ball level, if not even higher in the system,
and he has performed exceptionally well to start the year.
He deploys five pitches really well as a game plan
for that is slider his game to uh, you know,
(35:25):
a few more inches of cut than it has last year,
so it's a lot of to generate a little bit
more with He's cut down his walks significantly. I think
he's been more consistent with his delivery, which has helped
with that. And you know, to your point, he's really
dominating a level through the month of April, and there's
just so much to be excited about the long term
development him too. You know, we think the velocity will
(35:46):
continue to trend up over time. We think there's some
levers to pull too, and the quality of his arsenal
and how he deploys them, and he's got the worst
work ethic and mentality to capitalize on that. So we
got a really good r you know, as part of
a number of good arms in this in this Lake
County roster.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
And one last pitcher before we let you go, Jackson Humphreys.
The one number that jumps out. He's hard to hit,
he's not allowing many base hits and what are you
seeing there from him?
Speaker 3 (36:15):
Yeah, another left to you that we talked about last
year this summer repeating Lake County and Jackson.
Speaker 4 (36:21):
He had a tougher year last year.
Speaker 3 (36:23):
You know, he's battling a number of things short at
the year and never really got a chance to stabilize himself.
Speaker 4 (36:28):
And he just had this really productive offseason.
Speaker 3 (36:32):
We saw velocity come back to I think where we
were hoping it would be and what we saw maybe
a couple of years ago. He's twenty one years old,
you can sit around ninety three. He's got a really
good change up and slider.
Speaker 4 (36:44):
That both have like some bat missing potential.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
The major leagues, and that's just a really nice profile
to build on long term.
Speaker 4 (36:52):
And he's a tremendous worker, he's a great teammate.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
He's been dealing with the flu as some of these
guys have been the last couple of weeks that otherwise
take a really nice step forward to start the year,
and he's back up to touching ninety six, close to
ninety seven.
Speaker 4 (37:06):
He's striking out thirty six percent of the guys.
Speaker 3 (37:08):
He's facing, and he's put up a couple of really
dominant starts, and you know, the jackson that we think
he's going to turn into long term is starting to
peek through a little bit here to start the year. So, yeah,
just another one of these guys at this level that
there's inconsistency, and that should be expected when you've got
really young players at levels that are pushing them and
(37:30):
are challenging, And yeah, I think We're going.
Speaker 4 (37:33):
To look up in a couple of years and have another.
Speaker 3 (37:34):
One of these guys that is dominant and there's a
left handed arm that has staying power to be a
starting pitcher for us in the big leagues.
Speaker 2 (37:44):
Exciting stuff is always at Lake County, Austy. Thanks for
coming by, appreciate.
Speaker 4 (37:48):
It, Yeah, of course, thanks Rosie.
Speaker 2 (37:50):
That is Steven Oster, the vice president of player development
for the Guardians, and that's going to do it for
our show this week. Thanks as always to Brian Matsee
for all of his help putting together our shows each
and every week until next week when we join you
right back here at Progressive Field as the homestand continues
against the Cincinnati Reds next weekend. This is Jim Rosenhause
(38:11):
reminding you that you've been listening to Guardians Weekly on
the Cleveland Clinic Guardians Radio Network.
Speaker 1 (38:20):
Guardians Weekly has been brought to you by Progressive helping
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